Power-operated carriage return mechanism for typewriting and like machines



Sept. 18, 1951 H. J. HART POWER OPERATEDr CARRIAGE RETURN MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITING AND LIKE MACHINES 3 Sheets-Shea?I 1 Filed April 16. 1948 Sept. 18, 1951 H. J. HART PowER OPERATED CARRIAGE RETURN MECHANISM EoR TYPEWRITING AND LIKE MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1948 a if f3 Sept. 18, 1951 H. J. HART l PowER oPERATED CARRIAGE RETURN vmscHANrsn/l. FoR

TYPEWRITING AND LIKE MACHINES f Filed April 16, 1948 SSheets-Sheet 5 ATTORN EYS Patented Sept. 18, 1951 POWER-OPERATED CARRIAGE RETURN MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITING AND LIKE MACHINES Henry J. Hart, West Hartford, Conn., assignor to Royal Typewriter Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 16, 1948, Serial No. 21,476

23 Claims.

This invention relates to power operated carriage return mechanism for typewriting and like machines, and more particularly to improved means for controlling or conditioning such mechanism for operation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a winding drum is arranged for reeling or winding a carriage return draw band connected to the carriage, preferably through the intermediary of a line spacingA mechanism. A normally disengaged clutch is interposed between the winding drum and a continuously rotating, power driven member. Key controlled mechanism is provided for effecting engagement of the clutch so as to drive the drum, and cause a line spacing and a carriage returning movement to be performed.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for applying clutch engaging force or eifort through the medium of a resilient or yieldable force transmitting member, so as to eliminate shocks which otherwise could be caused by abrupt or positive engagement of the clutch.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for initiating carriage returning drive in response to depression of a key, without permitting repeated starting and stopping of the carriage returning mechanism when the key is held depressed.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism of the kind referred to which cannot be conditioned for operation if the controlling key is depressed and then released when the driving means is not in operation, thereby eliminating the possibility of a quick and unexpected return movement of the carriage taking place immediately upon connection of the driving mechanism to a source of power.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism of the class referred to which may readily be used in typewriters not substantially larger than present standard ofce typewriters.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description of a representative embodiment of the invention, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a View, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, fore and aft of a typewriter embodying the invention, showing only some of the conventional or standard typewriter parts in order to illustrate the application of mechanism embodying the invention to a typewriter construction;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View, partly in Vertical section and partly in elevation, showing a key and associated parts for controlling the operation of carriage return mechanism;

Y Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view with some parts shown in section, parts of the mechanism for controlling a carriage return clutch being shown in their inactive or normal positions;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan View showing a frame part in section, and showing a carriage return clutch and associated control mechanism with the parts in their actuated or clutch engaging positions;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view in elevation showing, on an enlarged scale, parts of the clutch controlling mechanism as viewed when looking in the direction of the arrow 5 in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a section on the line 5 6 of Figure 4, showing a latch member or pawl in elevation;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view, endto-end of the machine, on the line 'l-l of Figure 3, and showing mechanism for terminating the carriage returning drive;

Figure 8 is a transverse vertical sectional View of the clutch and associated mechanism, the section being taken on the irregular line 3 8 of Figure 1; and

Figure 9 is a vertical section on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

The invention may be embodied in typewriters or like machines of various kinds. For the purposes of illustration, the invention is shown as being embodied in an office type typewriter havving, except for the power mechanism to be de- .55`

scribed, many features in common with the well known Royal Standard typewriter. The drawings show only enough of the standard or known typewriter construction to assist in illustrating the manner in which mechanism embodying the invention may be coordinated with a typewriter construction. p

'Ihe known construction illustrated includes a mainframe A on which a carriage B is mounted for letter spacing and return movements by means of a top rail I secured to the carriage, and rolling upon balls 2, which in turn are adapted to roll on a frame-mounted bottom rail or track 3. The carriage includes the usual end plates i and 5 on which a platen or cylinder 6 is journaled so that it can be rotated for line spacing.

As is customary, the platen is equipped with a ratchet wheel 'l adapted to be rotated incrementally by oscillation of a pawl 8, pivoted as at 9 on a lever l0 which is mounted to rock about the axis of the platen. Normally the vpawl 8 is held up and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 1 by a shield l l equipped with a handle l2. When the lever l@ is rocked rearwardly, the nose of the pawl S moves off the shield ll to engage a tooth on the ratchet wheel 1, after which continued rocking of the lever li causes the pawl to rotate the ratchet wheel and the platen 6 for line spacing the work sheet. By rocking the handle i2, the shield H can be so positioned as to vary the point of let-off of the pawl 8, so as to adjust the line spacing mechanism for single, double, or triple line spacing in the usual manner.

The mechanism for rocking the lever l and line spacing pawl 8 includes a link i4 pivoted as at I5 to the lever l5, and pivoted as at I6 to a line spacing lever I1 which is mounted to rock in a horizontal plane on a shelf i8 formed on the carriage end plate 5. The lever l1 normally is held in retracted position against a stop I9 by a spring 29 interposed between a xed hook 2l and a hook Zia which is secured to the lever l1. Rocking of the lever l1 counterclockwise for effecting line spacing is limited by an adjustable eccentric stop |921.

As so far described, the line spacing mechanism is similar to that used in Royal Standard typewriters. In the standard typewriter, however, the lever corresponding to the lever il is formed with a forwardly projecting handle which is used by the operator for rocking the lever to effect line spacing until the lever engages the adjustable stop ma, after which the handle is used for returning the carriage to its line starting position. In the mechanism shown in the drawings, the lever l1 does not include such a handle, but instead is formed or equipped with an arm 22 which is positioned below the shelf l5 and is rockable in unison with and as part of the lever I1. The rear end of the lever arm 22 is equipped With an antifriction roller 23 which is disposed in a slot 24 in the bifurcated end of an operating lever 25, pivoted as at 26. Clockwise rocking of the lever 25 eiects counterclockwise rocking of the lever l1 a-nd line spacing movement of the platen 6. The usual finger knobs, one of which is shown at 21, are provided for rotating the platen manually.

Other known parts illustrated include a toothed margin stop bar 28 extending between and mounted on the carriage end plates l and 5, and right and left margin stop assemblies 29 and 3E) respectively, mounted for adjustment along the bar 28. The left margin stop includes a latch 3| which is urged by a spring 32 so as normally to cooperate with teeth on the bar 2B for holding the margin stop in adjusted position. The latch 3| is equipped with a roller 33 adapted to be engaged by a pivoted bail 34 for releasing the latch against the urge of the spring 32, and thus enabling the stop 39 to be adjusted on the bar 28. An adjustable abutment screw 35 on the stop 30 is engageable with a cushion lever 3S pivoted as at 31 on the usual center stop 38. A spring 39 normally maintains the Ylever 35 in the position shown in Figure 7. The center stop 38 is pivoted as at 40 on a bracket 4l secured to the frame A.

The right margin stop 29 is similar to the left margin stop 39 and includes a latch and roller (not shown) engageable by a pivoted bail 42. An abutment screw 4S on the stop 29 is adapted to engage a line lock lever 44, which is pivoted as at 31 on the center stop 38. The margin stop setting or regulating mechanism is described in 4 more detail in the patent to Henry J. Hart No. 2,208,367, granted July 16, 1940.

The carriage may be driven toward the left, that is in the letter` spacing direction, by any suitable mechanism, for example by a spring barrel and draw band of known or suitable construction.

In general the parts described so far do not, in themselves, constitute the present invention. The invention resides in other parts to be described, and combinations of such other parts with each other and with parts already described.

Power for returning the carriage to its line starting position at the operators right may be derived from any suitable source, for example and preferably, an electric motor (not shown) arranged to drive a shaft 45. The shaft 45 is adapted to transmit drive through helical gears 46 and 41, housed in a casing 48 mounted on the frame A. A short shaft 49 carrying the driven gear 41 is equipped at one end with a flexible coupling generally designated 55. The coupling includes a sleeve 5! connected at its inner end. to the shaft 49 by a pin 52. The outer end of the sleeve 5l is formed with opposed slots 53 which receive the end portions of a pin 54 protruding from a shaft 55 through which the pin 54 extends transversely. The shaft 55 is part of a clutch and draw band reeling mechanism generally designated 56, which is mounted on a bracket 51 secured to the frame A by screws 5B. The mechanism 56 further includes a anged drum 59 to which the end of a draw band 5B is secured. The draw band extends from the drum 59 around a grooved pulley Gl journaled on a bracket 62 supported on the frame A, and is connected by a tting 63 to the lever 25 previously referred to.

In operation` the clutch forming part of the mechanism 55 normally is disengaged so that the draw band 6l) is not wound up on the drum 59 to transmit returning drive to the carriage B. In order to return the carriage, mechanism to be described is operated for engaging the clutch, whereupon the drum 59 is rotated to wind up t-he band 69 and drive the carriage to the operators right. 'Other mechanism is provided for automatically disengaging the clutch when the carriage reaches a predetermined point in its return travel.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the clutch and reeling mechanism, the shaft 55 is journaled in bearings {S4-B4 secured to the bracket 51. A leaf spring 64a pressing against the left end of the shaft 55, and athrust collar 54h on the shaft hold the latter against longitudinal movement. The flanged drum 59 has a hub 65 which is journaled on a bearing sleeve 5d surrounding the shaft 55. 'I'he drum 59 normally is urged resiliently to rotate in a direction to reel in and thus take up slack in the draw band 5). For this purpose a spring 51 is anchored at its outer` end to an annular member 59 secured to the bracket 51, and is anchored at its inner end to the hub 55.

The right hand face of the drum 59, as viewed in Figure 8, constitutes a clutch face which is disposed adjacent to, but normally is operatively disengaged from a clutch element 69 formed of suitable wear-resistant friction material. The clutch element 69 has a central opening which receives the shaft 55 freely, and is formed with opposed slots 1l) into which extend the respective ends of a pin 1l, projecting transversely through and secured to the shaft 55,. To the right of the clutch asoma? element 69 is a pressure plate clutch element 12 mounted to slide or shift longitudinally on and to rotate about the bearing 94. A plurality of circumferentially spaced pins 13 are secured to the shiftable clutch element 12 and extend respectively into openings 18 in the drum 59 so as to couple the drum and the pressure plate to rotate in unison. A plurality of springs are deployed circumferentially between the drum 59 and pressure plate 12 for yieldably urging the latter away from the clutch element 69.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, mechanism is provided for applying clutch engaging force to the pressure plate 12 through the medium of a resilient force transmitting connection so as to produce vcushioned but nevertheless dependable and rm engagement of the clutch. In the form shown, a clutch engaging lever 11 is providedwith ears 18 which are pivo-ted as at 19 on ears 88 formed on the bracket51. The lever 11 has upper and lower arms equipped with rollers 8| adapted to bear against the pressure Aplate 12 for urging the latter against the friction element 69. The forward part 82 of the lever 11 is engaged by a roller 83 journaled onan arm 84, which is fast on a shaft 85, pivoted on ears 8S formed on a bracket 81 secured tothe bracket 51. When the arm 84 is rocked counterclockwise, as viewed in Figures 3 and 4, the roller 83 presses against the end 82 of the lever 11 so as to rock the latter counterclockwise and cause the rollers 8| to set forth above is transmitted by aclutch engaging device including a resilient or yielding connection. In the form shown, a latch lever arm or part 88 is pivoted looselyT on the shaft 85 and is formed with an ear 89 providing an anchorage for one end of a spring 90, the other end of which is secured to an ear 9| on a latch follower lever 92 secured to the shaft 85. The spring 90 is Yloadedunder tension, and tends to rock the part 88 and latch follower part 92 in opposite directions, so as normally to hold the parts 88 and 92 in the positions shown in Figure 3 with a stop ear 93 on the lever 92 engaging a stop ear 94 on the arm 88. When the latch lever arm 88 is rocked counterclockr-Jise from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4, the ear 89 pulls on and additionally loads the spring 90 so as to urge the follower lever 92 resiliently to rock counterclockwise. This tends also to rock the shaft 85 and with it the roller arm 84, which in turn tends to rock the lever 11 to effect engagement of the clutch. Inasmuch as the effort for engaging the clutch has to be transmitted through the spring 98, the application of clutch engaging force is cushioned, and smooth operation is assured.

Force for rocking the lever 88 is provided by power actuated means generally designated C. The mechanism C includes a lever 95 which is pivoted as at 98 on a part of the frame A. A spring 91 interposed between the bracket 51 and the lever 95 normally maintains the latter against the adjustable stop plate 98a in the position shown in Figure l. The lever 95 is actuatablein a manner to be described to be rocked counterclookwise,

as viewed in Figure l, to pull forwardly on a link 6 98 pivoted as at 99 to the lever 95 and as at |00 'to a latch actuator I 0| which is mounted to rock loosely on the shaft 85. The actuator |0| has one-way motion transmitting connection with the latch arm 88. To this end, the part -|0| is formed with a downwardly extending projection |0|a disposed behind the latch Yarm 88 s'o that, when the actuator |0| is rocked counterclockwise by forward motion of the link 98, the projection |0 |a presses against the latch arm 88 so as to rock the latter counterclockwise and transmit clutch engaging effort through the spring in the manner previously described.

Collars 85a on the shaft 85 position the latter with respect to the bracket ears 86, and serve as spacers for locating the actuator |0|, the latch lever 88, and the latch follower lever 92.

The lever is rocked only momentarily'for vpulling the link 98 forwardly, and does not hold the link in its actuated position. In order that the clutch may be maintained engaged until the carriage has reached the end of its return movement, means is provided for holding or latching the arm 88 in the actuated position shown in Figure 4. For this purpose, a latch or pawl` |02 is pivoted as at |03 on the bracket 51, and is formed with a slot |04 in which the arm 88 is movable. The latch |02 is provided with a shoulder |05 adapted to eng-age an edge of the arm 88 for holding the latter in its actuated position as shown in full lines in Figure 6. A spring |96, connected between the bracket 51 and the rear end of the latch |02, urges the latch to rock clockwise as viewed in Figure 6, so as to move the shoulder |05 into position for engagement with the arm 88 when the latter has'been moved toward the open end of the slot |04 and beyond the shoulder |05. A stop |01 on the bracket 51 is engageable by the latch |02 for limiting its rocking under Ithe urge of the spring |06. f

In order to cause the latch |02 to release the latch lever or arm 88 when the carriage reaches -the end of its return travel, a. knock-oif lever |08 is pivoted on the frame A as at |09, and is formed `with a heel ||0 which is disposed under an ear i on Athe latch |02. A link ||2 is pivoted as at ||3 to the knock-off lever |08, and as at ||4 to a depending arm 5 on the cushion lever 36. In operation, when the carriage is being re- The spring 39 serves not only to maintain the 'lever 36 and its associated parts in normal positions, but also to snub or bring the carriage to rest without harmful shock. Rocking of the lever '36 moves its depending portion ||5 clockwise as viewed in Figure 7 to pull the link ||2 and rock the knock-olf lever |08, thus depressing the slot- ;ted end of the latch |02, and releasing the latch lever 88. At this time the lever 95, link 98 and latch actuator |0| will be in their normal or in- 70 l'active positions as shown in Figures 1 and 3, so

similar to mechanism disclosed in the Gopending -7 application of William H. Kupper, Serial No. 6,066, led February 3, 1948. It includes a driving element, which operates continuously, and Acontrollable driving connections, which normally are inoperative or ineffective, but which may be conditioned by the operator to eiT-ect operative driving connection between the continuously moving driving member 'and `the latch actuator link 98. The driver is constituted by a continuously rotating element, more particularly a toothed snatch roll or bar IIIS, which may be f known form, and which is adapted to be driven in the direction of lthe arrow a in Figure 1 by any lsuitable means, but preferably by the same source of power as that which drives the shaft 45.

The connections for transmittingdrive from the driver I|5 to the link 93 include an actuator A| I1 which extends fore-and-aft of the typewriter and above the member I I6. The actuator is pivoted as at II8 to the lever 95 at a point offset relatively to the pivot 96. The actuator has a forwardly extending part IIS projecting under an abutment or guide plate |26 mounted by screws |2I on the frame A, to extend parallel to the snatch roll I I6. A spring |22, interposed between the front end of the actuator II1 and an anchor plate |23, yieldably urges the actuator to rock clockwise, and thus normally maintains the actuator in the position shown in Figure 1 with its front end part I I9 bearing against the abutment of guide plate |29. Another abutment |24 is disposed below the abutment |23 so as to underlie the actuator front end part I I 9.

In order to drive the link 98 to clutch-engaging position, the actuator I|1 is operatively but indirectly connected to the driving member H6, the vactuator itself never engaging the driving member. Mechanism for bringing about the operative connection of the actuator ||1 to the member ||6 includes an interponent pawl |25, which is pivoted as at I 26 on the actuator A spring |21, anchored to the actuator I I1 and connected to the pawl |25, biases the latter to rock clockwise so as to move its nose into eng-agement with the snatch roll H6. Normally, the pawl is maintained out of engagement with the snatch roll by the restraining action of a control element or trigger |23 which is pivoted as at |29 on the actuator |I1. In the normal position of the trigger, its rear end |33 engages a holding surface |3| on the pawl so as to prevent the spring |21 from rocking `the pawl into drivetransmitting engagement with the driving member IIB. The pawl |25 is formed with an inclined cam face |32 which is located just below the holding surface I 3 I, and which -is acted upon by the trigger for rocking the pawl counterclockwise, and Ithus resetting it in normal, inoperative position.

Key controlled means is provided for bringing about operative driving connection between the driver IIS and the actuator II1. This means includes a key |33 pivoted as at |34 on a rod carried by the frame A. The key |33 has an upward projection |35 disposed behind an arm |36 of an operating lever |31, pivoted as at |38 on a frame-mounted cross bar I 39. The lever I 31 has another arm |49 on which a limber dog or flipper |4| is pivoted at |42. A spring |43 urges the limber dog IIII to rock clockwise to yieldably retain it in its normal position of rest against a limit stop |44. The dog |4I can swing counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure l, but cannot move clockwise from this position. A returning spring |45, interposed between the key lever |33 and a short arm |46 on the lever |31, yieldably holds the lever |31 in its normal position with a fourth arm |41 of the lever |31 engaging the cross bar |39. In the normal position of the parts, the lower end of the limber dog IlI overlies a contact surface |48 on the actuator ||1.

In operation, when the key |33 is depressed, the lever |31 is rocked clockwise to cause the flipper I 4I to push the actuator ||1 downwardly to an extent sufciently to bring the trigger |28 into engagement with the abutment |24. This causes the trigger to be rocked clockwise, so as to release the pawl |25, which is then moved by the spring |21 into engagement with the snatch roll |16. The snatch roll then drives the pawl |25 and actuator ||1 as a unit so as to rock the lever and pull the link 98 forwardly to effect engagement of the clutch, as previously described. When the pawl |25 is cast off from engagement with the snatch roll IIB, the spring |22 lifts the actuator II 1 to bring the trigger |28 into engagement with the upper, trigger-resetting abutment |29. This causes the trigger |28 to be rocked counterclockwise, so as to move its end |30 against the resetting cam face |32 of the pawl |25, thereby restoring the latter to its inactive position. The parts of the mechanism C will then be returned to their normal positions by the spring 91.

The mechanism for engaging the clutch is conjointly responsive to and dependent upon concurrent operation of the power drive mechanism and depression of the key |33. Thus, if the key |33 should be depressed, and then released when the snatch roll I|6 is not operating, the pawl |25 will not be allowed to remain in engagement with the snatch roll, but will be returned to its normal position upon releasing of the key |33. Consequently, there is no danger that the carriage returning mechanism can be conditioned for operation in such a way that connecting the drive motor to a source of power will result immediately in unexpected operation of the carriage returning mechanism. This advantage is obtained even though the power mechanism C is of the kind including a spring urged pawl carried by the actuator, which has the additional advantage of assuring complete and proper engagement of the pawl with the snatch roll without danger of rasping of the parts in the event the key |33 should be depressed only partially.

It will be observed also that, if the key |33 is depressed and held down, only one operation of the lever 95 will take place. This is because when the actuator ||1 is moved forwardly and returned while the key is held down, the return of the actuator will cause the iiipper |l|| to be rocked idly toward the rear without being returned to cooperative relation with the contact surface |49.

Operation Although the operation of the several groups or assemblies of parts embodied in the mechanism has been described, a recapitulation of the operation of the entire mechanism may be of further aid in understanding the entire invention. When the typewriter is conditioned for operation, the parts will be in the positions shown in Figures l, 2, 3, 5, '7, and 8, and the driver I I6 and shaft .15 will be rotating concurrently. Typing will be performed in the usual manner, and the carriage will be moved in the letter spacing direction without being restrained by the carriage returning mechanism, except for the minor inciarbene dental restraint due to tensioning of the draw band 65B by the slack take-up spring 61. When the carriage reaches the end of its letter spacing travel, the abutment screw 43 Will engage the line lock lever ed which will move against the center stop 38 to operate the line lock mechanism (not shown) and bring the carriage to rest.

In order to rotate the platen B for line spacing, and then return thecarriage to its line starting position, the key |33 is depressed. This will rock the lever |31 to cause the ipper lill to push the actuator ill downwardly, and cause the trigger |23 to release the pawl |25, permitting it to move into drive transmittingengagement with the snatch roll IIS. The pawl |25 and actuator IH are thereby driven forwardly to pull the link 98, and rock the latch actuator ||l| and latch arm 88 until the latter is latched by the latch shoulder |85. Rocking' of the latch or arm e8 additionally tensions the spring 90 so as to rock the latch follower lever 92 and the clutch applying lever '."l, The rollers 3| on the lever Il' thereupon push against the pressure plate 12and move the latter against the friction element 65 to engage the clutch and rotate the drum 59, thereby winding the draw band 6G and rocking the operating lever 25 and the line spacing lever Il to rotate the platen and line space the work sheet. When the line space lever l1 has been moved against the stop ISa, the levers and 25 can rock no further,

so that continued reeling of the draw band G pulls the carriage toward the right, that is in the return direction. As the carriage approaches the limit of its return movement, the abutment screw 35 engages and operates the cushioning lever or snubber 35, which, through the link H2 and knock-01T lever |98, rocks the latch |02 to release the latch arm 88, thereby disengaging the clutch and terminating the carriage return drive. Movement of the lever 36 against the limiting stop 38 finally will bring the carriage to rest in its line starting position.

Should it be desired to rotate the platen 6 and line space the work sheet further when the carriage is in its line-starting position, and before beginning tortype a new line, it is necessary merely to depress the key |33. This will cause the mechanism C and associated parts to effect engagement of the clutch parts '|2-69-59, thereby reeling the draw band 60 to actuate the operating lever 2E and the line spacing lever I?. At this time, the latch |02 will be held in its released position, shown in dotted lines in Figure 6 so that the arm 88 will not be latched in clutch-engaging position. However, the relatively bref engagement of the clutch when the arm 83 is moved forwardly will eilect enough reeling of the draw band 60 to cause a line spacing operation.

The mechanism disclosed herein embodies the invention in the form which is now preferred, but it will be apparent that some changes may be made in the construction and relative arrangement of the parts within the scope of the invention'as dened in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates continuously when the machine is in operation; normally disabled driving connections interposed between said member and said carriage and being adapted to be enabled for transmitting returning drive from said member td said carriage; and manually controlled mecha: nism for enabling said driving connections ini cluding a power driven driver rotatable coni jointly with said member, an interponent biased to move into engagement with said driver, a con; `trol element normally maintaining said interi ponent out of engagement with said driver, a key, means responsive to depression of said key for moving said control element to release said interponent and enable it to be moved by its bias into engagement with said driver, and means responsive to return movement of said key when saidv driver is not rotating for returning said interponent to its normal position, whereby if said key is depressed and then returned while said driver is not rotating said interponent will not be permitted to remain engaged with said driver.

2. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates continuously when the machine is in operation; normally disabled driving connections interposed between said member and said carriage and being adapted to be enable-d for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; an actuator for enabling said driving connections; a driver operable concurrently with said rotatable member; an interponent connected to said actuator; means biasing said interponent to move into operative engagement with said driver; a control element normally maintaining said interponent out of engagement with said driver; a key; means responsive to depression or said key for moving said control element to release said interponent and to thereby effect operative connection of said interponent to said driver; and means responsive to return movement of said key when said driver. is at rest for disconnecting said interponent from said driver.

3. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates continuously when the machine is in operation; normally disabled driving connections interposed between said member and said carriage and being adapted to be enabled for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; a driver operable concurrently with said rotatable member; an actuator for enabling said driving connections; an interponent mounted on said actuator for movements into and out of operative engagement with said driver and being biased to move into engagement therewith; a trigger normally maintaining said interponent disengaged from said driver; a key; means responsive to depression of said key for actuating said trigger to release said interponent and enable it to move into engagement with said driver; and trigger re-setting means eiTective upon return movement of said key when said driver is at rest for moving said trigger reversely to its releasing movement and thereby disengaging said interponent from said driver.

' 4. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates continuously when the machine is in operation; normally disabled driving connections interposed between said member and said carriage and being adapted to be enabled for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; a driver operable concurrently with said rotatable member; an actuator for enabling said driving connections and being normally disconnected from said driver; a key, separate from and movable relatively to said actuator and being operative when depressed for effecting connection of said actuator to said driver; and a resetter cam device responsive to return movement of said key when said driver is not operating for disconnecting said actuator from said driver.

5. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates continuously `when the machine is in operation; normal-ly disabled driving connections interposed between said member and said carriage and being adapted to be enabled for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; a driver operable concurrently with saidrotatable driving member; an actuator for enabling said driving connections; an interponent mounted on said actuator for movement into and out of engagement with said driver and being biased toward operative engagement position therewith; a re-setting cam face on said interponent; a trigger normal-ly holding said interponent disengaged from said driver; a key; and means responsive to depression or said key for actuating said trigger to release said interponent and enable it to move into engagement with said driver, and responsive to return movement or" said key whenY said driver is at rest for moving said trigger reversely to move a part of said trigger against said re-setting cam iace and thus move said interponent fromengagement with said driver.

6. In a power operatedtypewriting or like machine, a frame, a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travelon said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates continuouslyY when the machine is in operation; means including a normally disengaged clutch for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; and manually controlled mechanism for eiecting engagement of said clutch including a power driven driver rotatable conjointly with saidmember, an interponent biased to move into engagement with said driver, a control element normally maintaining said interponent out of engagement with said driver, a key, means responsive to depression of said key for moving said control element to release said interponent and enable it to be moved by its bias into engagement with said driver, and means responsive to return movement of said key when said driver is not rotating for returning said interponent to its normal position, whereby if said key is depressed and then returned while said driver is not rotating said interponent will not be permitted to remain engaged with said driver.

7. In a power operatedtypewriting or like machine, a frame, a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates continuously when the machine is in operation; means including a normally disengaged clutch for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; an actuator for engaging said clutch; a driver operable concurrently with said rotatable member; an interponent connected to said actuator; means l2 biasing said interponent to move into operative engagement with said driver; a control element normally maintaining said interponent out of l engagement with said driver; a key; means responsive to depression of said key for moving said control element to release said interponent and to thereby eiect operative connection of said interponent to said driver; and means responsive to return movement of said key when said driver is at rest for disconnecting said interponent from said driver.

8. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame, a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates continuously when the machine is in operation; means including a normally disengaged clutch for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; a driver operable concurrently with said rotatable driving member; an actuator for engaging said clutch; an interponent mounted on said actuator for movement into and out of engagement with said driver and being biased toward operative engagement position therewith; a re-setting cam face on said interponent; a trigger normally holding said interponent disengaged from said driver; a key; and means responsive to depression of said key for actuating said trigger to release said u. interponent and enable it to move into engagement with said driver, and responsive to return movement of said key when said driver is at rest for moving said trigger reversely to move a part of said trigger against said re-setting cam face and thus move said interponent from engagement with said driver.

9. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame, a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates when the machine is in operation; normally disabled driving connections interposed between said member and said carriage and being adapted to be enabled for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; a rotatable toothed driver operable concurrently with said rotatable member; an actuator for enabling said driving connections; an interponent pawl movably mounted on said actuator; a spring urging said pawl toward engagement with said driver; a trigger on said actuator normally maintaining said pawl disengagedfrom said driver; key oontrolled means for actuating said trigger in one direction to release said pawl and enable it to be moved into engagement with said driver, whereby said pawl and said actuator will be moved together until their travel as a unit moves said pawl out of engagement with said driver; and a device engageable by said trigger after disengagement of said pawl from said driver for moving said trigger in the reverse direction for re-setting said pawl in its normal position.

l0. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame, a carriage mounted for letter spacing and returntravel n said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates when the machine is in operation; normally disabled driving` connections interposed between said member and said carriage and being adapted to be enabled for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; a rotatable toothed driver operable concurrently with said rotatable member; an actuator for enabling said driving connections; an interponent pawl movably-mounted on said actuator; a re-setting cam o'n said pawl; a spring urging said pawl toward engagement with said driver; a trigger on said actuator normally maintaining said pawl disengaged from said driver; key controlled means for actuating said trigger in one direction to release said pawl and enable it to be moved into engagement with said driver, whereby said pawl and said actuator will be moved together until their travel as a unit moves said pawl out of engagement with said driver; and a device engageable by said trigger after disengagement of said pawl from said driver for moving said trigger in the reverse direction to causev a part of said trigger to press against said re-setting cam and thus return said pawl to its normal position. y

11. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame, a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates when the machine is in operation; normally disabled driving connections interposed between said member and said carriage and being adapted to be enabled for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; Van actuator for enabling said driving connections; a driver rotatable concurrently with said rotatable member; an interponent mounted movably on said actuator; a spring urging said interponent to move into engagement with said driver; a trigger mounted movably on said actuator and normally occupying a position in which it maintains said interponent out of engagement with said driver; an abutment; and key controlled means or imparting to said actuator suiicient initial movement to move said trigger into engagement with said abutment to thereby move said trigger on said actuator and release said interponent to enable the latter to be moved rby said spring into engagement with said driver.

12. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame, a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates when the machine is in operation; normally disabled driving connections interposed between said member and said carriage and being adapted to be enabled for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; an actuator for enabling said driving connections; a driver operable concurrently with said rotatable member; and key controlled means for normally maintaining said actuator disconnected from said driver and being operable for eiecting temporary driving connection of said actuator to said driver, said key controlled means including two spaced abutments and a control element having a part movable between said abutments, one side of said part being engageable with one of said abutments for effecting operative connection of said actuator to said driver and the other side of said part being engageable with the other of said abutments for restoring said element to its normal position.

13. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame, a carriage mounted for letter` spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates when the machine is in operation; means including a normally disengaged clutch for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; an actuator for engaging said clutch; a driver rotatable concurrently with said rotatable member; an interponent mounted movably on said actuator; a spring urging said interponent to move into engagement'with said driver;

a trigger mounted movably von said actuator and normally occupying a position in which it maintains said interponent ,out of engagement with said. driver; an abutment; and key controlled means for imparting vvto said actuator su'icient initial movement to move said trigger into engagement with said abutment to thereby move said trigger. on said actuator and release said interponent to enablethe latter to be moved by said spring into engagement with said driver.

14. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame, a carriage mounted for letter spacing and returntravel on said frame; power vdriven mechanism including, a member which rotates whenthe machine is in operation; means including A,ay normally disengaged clutch for transmitting returning, drive from said member to said carriage; an actuator forl engaging said clutch; a rotatable toothed driver operable concurrently With said.V rotatable member; an interponent pawl movablymounted on said actuator; a spring urging said pawl toward engagement withsaid driver; a trigger ,on said actuator normallyl maintaining vsaid, pawl disengaged from said driver; key vcontrolled meansrfor ,actuating said trigger in one direction to release said pawl and enable it to be moved into engagement with said driver, whereby said pawl and said actuator will be moved together until their travel as a unit moves said pawl out of engagement with said driver; and a device engageable by said trigger after disengagementof said pawl from said driver for moving said trigger in the reverse direction for re-setting said pawl in its normal position.

15. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates when the machine is in operation; means for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage including a normally disengaged clutch having an element mounted to shift for engaging the clutch; and meansA for shifting said elementV to clutch-engaging position including a iirst movably mounted part adapted to act on said element, a second movably mounted part; a resilient force transmitting connection between said two parts, a power operated driver; connections between said driver and said second part including an interponent vbiased to move into engagement with said driver to be driven thereby for eiecting actuation of said second part to transmit force through said resilient connection to said rst partv to thereby apply cushioned shifting effort to said shiftable clutch element; a control element normally releasably maintaining said interponent disengaged from said driver; a key; means responsive to vdepression of said key for moving said control engaged clutch having an element mounted to l shiftfor engaging the clutch; and meansl for shifting said element to clutch-engaging position including a iirst lever adapted to act on said element, a second lever rockable independently of said rst lever, a force transmitting spring connection between said levers; a power operated driver; connections between said driver and said second lever including an interponent biased to move into engagement with said driver to be driven thereby for rocking said second lever to transmit force through said spring to rock said rst lever and apply cushioned shifting eiort to said shiftable element; a control element normally releasably maintaining said interponent disengaged from said driver; a key; means responsive to depression of said key for moving said control element to release said interponent and enable it to be moved by its bias into engagement with said driver; and means responsive to return movement of said key when said driver is not operating for returning said interponent to its n-ormal position.

17. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates when the machine is in operation; means for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage including a normally disengaged clutch having an element mounted to shift for engaging the clutch; and means for shifting said element to clutch-engaging position including a rst movably mounted part adapted to act on said element, a second movably mounted part; a resilient force transmitting connection between said two parts, a power operated driver; connections between said driver and said second part including an int-erponet biased to move into engagement witl'ii said driver to be driven thereby for eiecting aetnation of said second part to transmit force through said resilient connection to said iirst pai-it to thereby apply cushioned shifting? eiort to said Shiftable clutch element; a control element normally releasably maintaining said` interponent disengaged from said driver; a key; means responsive to depression yof said keyY for moving said control element to release said interponent andy enable it to be moved by its bias inte egag'em'" `t with said driver; a latch for releas'ably retaining said second movably mounted part in its' actuated position; means operable iriresponse to returning of the carriage to a predetermined position on said frame for releasing said latch; and means responsive to return movement of said key when said driver is not operating for returning said interponent to its normal positin.

18. In a power operated typewriting or' Iik'e machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on saidE frame; power driven mechanism including a member' which rotates when the machine is in operation; means for transmitting returning drive from' said member to said carriage including a normally disengaged clutch having an ele `ent| nio'unted to shift for engaging the clutch; and means for shifting said element to clutch-engaging position including a rst lever' adapted to act on said e1ement, a' second lever rockable independently of said rst lever,v a force' transmitting spring connection between said levers; a power loperated driver; connections between said driver and said second lever' including an interponer-it biased to movev into engagement withl said driver to be driven thereby for. rocking said second lever to transmitV force through; said spring to rock said rst lever and apply cushioned shifting' effort to said shiftable element; a control element normally releasably maintaining said interponent disengaged from said driver; a key; means responsive to depression of said key for moving said control element to release said interponent and enable it to be moved by its bias into engagement with said driver; a latch for releasably retaining said second lever in its rocked position; means operable in response to returning of the carriage to a predetermined position on said frame for releasing said latch; and means responsive to return movement of said key when said driver is not operating for returning said interponent to its normal position.

19. In a power operated typewriting or like machine,- a frame;- a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates when the machine is in operation; means including a normally disengaged clutch for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; a clutch engaging device; means for actuating said clutch engaging device including a driver, an actuator, an interponent mounted on said actuator and being biased to move into engagement with said driver, a control element normally releasably maintaining said interponent disengaged from said driver, a one-way-acting motion transmitting connection between said actuator and said clutch engaging device, and key controlled means for moving' said control element to release said interponent and enable it to be moved by its bias into engagement with said driver whereby to cause said actuator to act momentarily through said oneway acting motion transmitting connection and actuate said device to engage said clutch; a latch for maintaining said device in actuated position after the momentary action of said actuator has terminated; and means responsive to return of said key controlled means to normal position whensaid driver is not operating for disengaging said interponent from said driver. m

20. In a power operated typewriting or like machine", a -frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates when the machine is in operation; means including a normally disengaged clutch for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; a rockable clutch-engaging lever; an arm; a rockable shaft to which said arm is secured; a roller connection between said arm and said lever; a latch lever mounted to turn freely on said shaft; and means including a spring connected between said latch lever and said arm for urging said arm to rock for actuating said clutch engaging lever when said latch lever is rocked.

2l. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates when the machine is in operation; means including a normally disengaged clutch for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage a rockable clutch-engaging lever; an arm; aY rockable shaft to which said arm is secured; a roller connection between said arm and said lever; a latch lever mounted to turn freely on said shaft; means including a spring connected between said latch lever and said arm for urging said arm to rock for actuating said clutch engaging lever when said latch lever is`l rocked; and means including a one-Way-acting motion transmitting connection for rocking said latch lever.

22. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return travel on said frame; power driven mechanism including a member which rotates When the machine is in operation; means including a normally disengaged clutch for transmitting returning drive from said member to said carriage; a rockable clutch-engaging lever; an arm; a rockable shaft to which said arm is secured; a roller connection between said arm and said lever; a latch lever mounted to turn freely on said shaft; means including a spring connected between said latch lever and said arm for urging said arm to rock for actuating said clutch engaging lever when said latch lever is rocked; means including a momentarily operative actuator and a one-Way-acting motion transmitting connection for rocking said latch lever; and a latch for releasably retaining said latch lever in rocked position.

23. In a power operated typewriting or like machine, a frame; a carriage mounted for letter spacing and return movements on the frame; power driven mechanism which rotates when the machine is in operation; driving connections between said mechanism and said carriage including a normally disengaged clutch; key con- 18 trolled means for effecting engagement of said clutch; a latch for releasably maintaining said clutch engaged after it has been engaged by operation of said key controlled means; a carriage travel limiting stop on said frame; a snubber mounted on said frame adjacent said limiting stop; a spring yieldably urging said snubber away from said limiting stop; a margin stop on said carriage engageable with said snubber when the carriage approaches the end of its return movement for moving said snubber against said limiting stop against the urge of said spring; and means responsive to said moving of the snubber for releasing said latch, whereby said clutch is disengaged and said carriage is brought to rest with a cushioned stop by the spring-resisted movement of said snubber.

HENRY J. HART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,066,978 Koca Jan. 5, 1937 2,104,559 Hillis Jan. 4, 1938 2,142,341 Arnold Jan. 3, 1939 2,214,906 Le Porin Sept. 17, 1940 2,393,441 Yaeger Jan. 22, 1946 

